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Friday, January 31, 2014

Among multiple awards for youth media announced Monday by the American Library Association, the Schneider Family Book Award honors books that that “embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.”

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet, won in the ages 0 to 10 division.

“This picture book biography of self-taught African American folk artist Horace Pippin demonstrates the dogged determination of a wounded soldier to paint again,” according to the ALA on its Schneider Family Book Award page. “After a WWI injury threatened to end his potential artistic career, he trained himself to paint by supporting his injured arm with the other hand.”

Thursday, January 30, 2014

“Oregon Reads 2014 is for children and teens too!” On the Southern Oregon Education Service District librarians’ listserv, Library Materials Specialist Kelly Bryant passed along information from Katie Anderson, youth services consultant, with the Oregon State Library.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I worked with one of the contributors, Steve Buttry, while employed at a northern California newspaper. As a library professional, I have a continuing vested interest in promoting information literacy.

The handbook’s contributors address a variety of topics including verification fundamentals, as well as applications for specific types of content. It also offers suggestions for putting “crowdsourcing” to work when verifying information.

The “Verification Handbook” was written primarily for journalists and for aid providers but, more and more, citizens are relying directly on online sources and bypassing professional outlets.

If you care about the accuracy of the information you consume, if you want to be information-literate, the “Verification Handbook” is worth checking out.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) have completed a report compiling “participation metrics” for an online conversation about making web-based tools easier to use for workers with intellectual disabilities, cognitive issues, traumatic brain injury or other disabilities.

The dialogue was open from Dec. 9 to 20.

I’m gratified that the idea that I backed — concern for personality screening of job applicants — made the report’s “Top 5 Ideas” under “Applying for Jobs.” But I want to express my concern about the competitive nature of the PEAT-ASAN forum. Why was it structured so that people were able to vote down other people’s ideas?

Friday, January 24, 2014

This graphic novel picks up where Rapunzel’s Revenge left off. A misadventure with a beanstalk and the theft of a goose that lays golden eggs forced Jack to flee the city of Shyport. Now he and Rapunzel are returning home so he can put things right.

Readers who enjoyed the action, suspense and humor of Rapunzel’s Revenge will enjoy this story, which presents new challenges and introduces new allies.

Rapunzel’s Revenge was a 2011 nominee in the upper-elementary division, Oregon Reader’s Choice Awards. Readers can find both books in the Bellview Elementary School library and through Jackson County public libraries.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Among memorable Dewey classifications, books on library and information science are shelved under 020. What should I find during a recent visit to the Ashland branch library but a book cart drill team manual.

Written by Linda D. McCracken and Lynne Zeiher, The Library Book Cart Precision Drill Team Manual (McFarland and Co., 2002) covers everything library groups need to know about a unique form of community outreach. The authors share tips at every stage, from forming a group, recruiting, making a case to stakeholders, decorating and costumes, cart drill routines, identifying events/opportunities and transportation to and from the event.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Recently added to my Winter Reading log, The Underneath by Kathi Appelt is available in the Bellview Elementary School library and through Jackson County public libraries.

The Underneath tells the story of an old hound who shelters a pregnant cat and, later, her two gray kittens beneath his cruel owner’s home.

Abandonment, neglect and abuse of companion animals are among the themes that Appelt addresses in her book.

I had strong reactions to the plight of the animal characters, fueled by my feelings about past experiences of beloved animals in my own life. The Underneath was a difficult but ultimately rewarding book to read.

Monday, January 20, 2014

“Library work is first of all people work,” writes Cuesta College library director Mark Stengel in a welcome letter to Cuesta College library and information technology interns. “[Y]our successful efforts to establish relationships with your supervisors are the first of many learning experiences fostered by the internship requirement.”

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Meet Jayden Cook who, when 12 days old, became Jackson County Library Services’s youngest cardholder. For the Mail Tribune﻿, Teresa Ristow writes, Jayden’s family was enticed to come to the Ashland branch library by a reading bag that is given to all new parents when children are born at Ashland Community Hospital. The book bag program and Babies in the Library storytime were pioneered by Ashland children’s librarian Margie Cicerrella.

For the We Need Libraries protest song video project, here’s a picture of me holding library cards from nearly every community where I have lived or worked. I learned this week from the project organizer that my photo made the cut. Look for me in the video at the 2:52 mark.

Library systems represented in my photo include the Lake County Library (an account first created through the Sonoma County Library system), the George and Elsie Wood Public Library in Saint Helena, Calif., Napa County Library and Jackson County Library Services. I’m missing Marin County Free Library for a complete set.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

In the Ashland School District’s Bellview Elementary School library, I conduct a steady business of checking-in returned books. Are students remembering to log the minutes they spend reading books? According to Bellview PTO, Read-a-Thon sheets are due next Tuesday. Money raised through the Read-a-Thon will go to purchase iPads and appropriate apps for some Bellview classrooms.

At Publishers Weekly, Andrew Albanese has compiled the Top 10 Library Stories of 2013. Topping the list is eBook borrowing, which showed significant growth and increased competition among vendors in 2013.

“To be ready for college, workforce training, and a life in a technological society, students need the ability to gather, comprehend, evaluate, synthesize, and report on information and ideas ... to analyze and create a high volume and extensive range of print and nonprint texts in media forms old and new.”

“The whole purpose here,” Cox said during a recent ALA Booklist webinar, “is we are preparing students for their future.” Cox added that the “aha-moment” she would like attendees to take from the webinar is that “Common Core is not about what is in a book; Common Core is about what you do with the content of the book.”

Thursday, January 9, 2014

For Huffington Post, Jordan Lloyd Bookey has distilled her experiences and observations as parent and educator into five rules to read by so that she does not, as she says, “kill” her children’s love of reading.

It’s worthwhile reading for the parent, educator or librarian.

Two rules involve letting the child’s own interests pave the way to reading while another emphasizes making sure the child sees you reading yourself. “What are you doing,” Bookey asks, “to inspire a love of reading in your home?”

Awarded annually since 2006, the Geisel Award is given to an author and illustrator for the “most distinguished contribution for beginning readers” published in English in the United States during the previous year.

“The winner receives a bronze medal, and the Honor Book authors and illustrators receive certificates, which are presented at the American Library Association Conference each January.”

Monday, January 6, 2014

Put simply, “This statement is a mechanism for addressing disputes, but it is also a declaration of values: it signals to everyone who we are. Furthermore, it’s part of an ongoing dialog about inclusion in library-related conference communities.”

Yelton provides historical perspective on the origin of the policy, including links to bloggers who share stories of harassment in the library profession.

What should I spy on the shelving cart of a passing volunteer during a visit to the Ashland library but the sixth volume in a fantasy series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.

With The Enchantress, author Michael Scott concludes an epic story that thrusts a pair of teens, twins Sophie and Josh Newman, into a battle involving figures of myth and legend and notable people from history for the fate of the world.

The series began with The Alchemyst and continues with The Magician, The Sorceress, The Necromancer and The Warlock before coming to its conclusion.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

This handmade bag is just the right size to hold a couple of books. Made during the Ashland library teen program’s “Crafternoon” on Saturday, it features a repurposed sweater, a button-and-loop closure and a blanket-stitch edging.

I couldn’t remember how to make a blanket stitch, but that really wasn’t a problem, since “Crafternoon” was located near the non-fiction stacks in the Ashland library.

It was a simple matter to browse books shelved under Dewey classification 746 (Textile Arts) ’til I found a book on needlework. (Anyone else have “favorite” Dewey classifications that you’ve committed to memory for the sheer frequency of visits?)

It’s inspiring reading for this Educational Assistant in an elementary school library. Stripling has my appreciation for her regular emphasis on the importance of school libraries and librarians — and so much more so now that I am in this profession.

Barbara K. Stripling, the assistant professor of practice at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y., was elected in 2012 by ALA members to serve as 2013-2014 president.

As a survivor of childhood peer abuse who frequently blogs about bullying, I applaud the ALA for adopting an anti-harassment policy. And while it’s not a perfect document, I disagree with Will Manley, an American Libraries columnist who argued on his blog that the policy could “have a chilling effect on intellectual freedom.”

A successful library referendum campaign identifies three things, according to Kathy Rosa, writing for American Libraries: the amount of money needed, how long the tax will last and a justification that resonates with the community. Among these, the “overarching challenge” is to build trust and establish compelling need.

It’s a timely article, given Jackson County libraries’ urgent need for funds.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

A book by Ann Budd, Getting Started Knitting Socks, and a gift card from The Web-sters, a yarn store in downtown Ashland, have me set to embark on new projects in Year 2014. First up: worsted-weight washable wool on double-pointed needles.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

The next Teen Crafternoon at Ashland Public Library promises to be a lot of fun, at least from the perspective of this avid upcycler who enjoys repurposing old clothes. From noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, teens will be invited to create things from recycled jeans. Photos on Facebook suggest exciting possibilities: bracelets, wristers, a diary/book cover and beanbags or hacky sacks.

“People with autism are radically different from one another, and members of the ‘autism community,’ whether caregivers or people on the spectrum, have very different points of view about almost everything.”

Rudy offers these resolutions to help heal bitter differences between factions in “the autism community.” They’re worthwhile reading as we begin a new year.

About Me

I’m a library paraprofessional and editor who “wears many hats.” Creativity is my superpower. I travel by bicycle and bus. I draw attention to issues faced by adults who are on the autism spectrum, with special concern for the targets of bullying among both children and adults.

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My writings and reviews of books I’ve enjoyed include “affiliate links.” If you make book purchases through my blog, I’ll receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”